Ravensklip The Saga Continues

Updated on July 19, 2010

Chapter 2
Ravensklip

Thomas Terrance, a widower, whose late wife had passed away seven
years ago, lived together with his second wife, Ann and her mother,
Barbara in a small, select and exclusively affluent suburb called
Ravensklip, believed to be named, because of the spur of rock that
stood sentinel to the entrance to the suburb, as it resembled a
crouched predatory bird.

The wide banks of the swift flowing Klip River protected the
frontal access to Ravensklip with the remaining three sides
surrounded the suburb with steep outcrops of rocks and rolling
hills.

Ravensklip was a very old moneyed area that had originally been
established just after the Second World War by six permanent force
officers who having built up a very strong camaraderie during the
many bloody campaigns had decided to retire and pool their
resources. They where looking for a solid investment as well as a
quiet refuge in a private haven away from the hubbub of the major
financial area of Johannesburg so they chose to create a select and
private country club and retreat by purchasing a farm far in the
southern side of town rather than in the northern suburbs were the
Generals and others had settled in.

They had built for themselves, moderately expensive and well
constructed houses on the large and equally subdivided plots, after
creating a common area, which was positioned in the lower region of
the valley, at the base of Ravensklip, this would then serve them
as a communal gathering point or parade ground as the Sergeant
Major, who was the leading figure in the group of six, called
it.

The suggestion was that this would be the central point for all
gatherings. So they then had constructed a dam, that large enough
for swimming in, this was fed by the river, a large communal braai
pit with an equally large lapa completed the ‘parade ground'. On
the southern side of the parade ground they had left the fringe of
natural woodland that then abounded in small game which was never
hunted. Their six houses were built on the northern side
overlooking their comfortable sanctuary. Many years later, they
expanded the number of houses by further subdivision of the
remainder of the farm, and had constructed sixteen completely
different styled houses or cottages, which were situated on the
lower reaches of the koppies behind their larger properties. Some
were occupied by their children and the rest were sold by the
pioneers of estate, they were still pretty selective as to who
bought them. All of original owners had either passed on or had
moved into retirement homes, their offspring had also sold up and
moved on.

Their descendants had in order to maintain the exclusivity of the
suburb set up a closed corporation, which was responsible for the
properties. An executor was appointed by the body corporate to
oversee the daily running and ensure that the area remained
unspoiled. Therefore the small suburb still only had only
twenty-two houses, all of them were very well maintained. All of
them were occupied, well technically that was correct as there was
one which was unoccupied; the new owners were scheduled to take up
their occupancy at the beginning of the New Year.

The drive from the nearby school to home took only fifteen minutes,
this is mainly because that that section of the road meanders
through the several valleys formed by the Klipriviersberg, and now
the trip was now very nearly at its end. Thomas crested the top of
the ridge from where he could see the entire suburb of Ravensklip,
all neatly laid out within the amphitheater of the high koppies.
The lower reaches being covered with the typical Highveld acacia
scrub, above that, the wild aloes and kiepersol or cabbage tree
scratched their way from the hard shallow sand and rock, and
finally bare hard rock covered the final third, these high rock
formations formed a solid barrier around the suburb. The broad,
swift flowing river sparkled and gushed in a shimmering crescent
swept passed the front section of the suburb. Thomas changed down
to third gear, took the gentle right-hand fork in the road, then
they began the descent down the twisted winding road, bordered by
the natural scrub and occasional rocky outcrops.

The final hairpin bend, before they reached the entrance road to
Ravensklip that leads to the bridge that spans the 200-meter width
of the fast flowing Kliprivier. This caused Thomas to shift down to
second gear, as he reduced his speed and negotiated the bend with
practiced ease, proceeded down the road for a further couple of
hundred meters, turned right off the main road, crossed the bridge,
they had now arrived entered their quiet, secure suburb. Thomas
turned left off ‘Main Road' into "Lower Road", which lead them to
all the lower terrace of the houses in Ravensklip.

He turned right into the first driveway, being a long scrub lined
driveways, a characteristic of most of the houses in the suburb, it
provided a sense of privacy. This is where he went to drop of the
twins. With quick a thank you, the twins scrambled out of his car,
and disappeared into the face bricked double story house. Thomas
went around the circle in the driveway and drove out of the
property and turned right after a careful check that the road was
clear.

He continued along the road, skipped past the next two driveways,
and turned right into the third one, announcing his arrival with a
double touch to the hooter. Lilly Schmidt, a vibrant slim 30 year
old, with dusty dark blonde hair, pale brown eyes and an evenly all
over tanned firm body with smallish pear shaped breasts, came out
to greet him, wearing a very skimpy pale blue bikini, which
comprised of a low cut tanga bottom with a skimpy halter top. Her
dark blonde hair was wet clung to the sides of her face, like a
skull cup or bathing cup which framed her mischievous almost elfin
face, with an infectious impish grin to match.

"Thomas you must be dying of the heat, after fetching the twins,
what, with all that running around in the hot car" she laughed with
ease, "why don't you come and join me under the sprinkler, its so
refreshing " she suggested to Thomas, smilingly.

"Not today, as haven't got my costume with me, thanks anyway, might
do the same thing when I reach home myself. How is Beatrice
today?"

"Not quite with us again, she thinks we are her cousins, spending
the holidays here. It is quite trying today, but we still have
hope. There have been some new research results on Diet and
advanced Alzheimer's, that look very promising"

"Well, science and technology are making some extremely important
breakthroughs, so one must always try and be positive, not so".
Stated Thomas most firmly.

They chatted for a few minutes, about the other general issues that
bothered most South Africans these days, the increase in crimes,
especially, the spate of those more violent crimes. Usually these
appeared to be seemingly senseless.

Thomas handed over the order of sausages and the other items that
he had purchased for her household.

"It is a pity I always have to rely on you, to always fetch things
for me, but honestly, the last time Leonard and I had to take her
out to do a bit of shopping, she damn near disappeared, and there
where two of us with her at the time."

"Think nothing of it, that's what makes my day, going around and
keeping myself busy, seeing people, feeling useful, keep me young."
Said Thomas, as he tried very hard not to stare down at her breasts
Her skimpy bikini clad, breasts were now visibly covered with
gooseflesh and there was still a couple of water droplets in the
valley between them.

Thomas started to walk back towards his parked car. "Must be making
tracks, still a couple of things to do this afternoon, you
know."

Lilly strode down the driveway and caught up with several yards
before he reached his car, and with a very familiar pat and a firm
gentle squeeze of Thomas's shoulder, she left her hand still rested
on his shoulder, as she and Thomas walked back to his car. Lilly
smiled and said, "Ann is lucky to have such a strong and capable
caring considerate man in her life at present."

Thomas blushed slightly, his eyes now firmly focused on her chin,
"It is really the other way around, actually".

He quickly climbed into the car. "Well I have your list for
tomorrow, and you will give me ring if there is anything else you
find that you need. You can settle up with me tomorrow. Have a good
evening and regards to Leonard, as well as Beatrice." said
Thomas.

"Will do, not that Beatrice would know, drive carefully, will see
you tomorrow" said Lilly with that impish smile and cheery bye she
waved her and walked back to the house,

Thomas watched her fluid movements as she strode to the house, for
at least a half a dozen paces, this from the safety of his rear
view mirror, and then he backed out of her driveway.

He headed back the way he came. At the T-junction he turned left
into the main road and proceeded to the t-junction at ‘Upper Road'.
At which he turned right and passed the first two driveways, turned
left, into the long steep driveway of Natalie and Bernard Strong's
neatly thatched bungalow. He got out of his car, parcels in hand,
climbed the steep steps to the porch, rang the doorbell, and waited
patiently.

Natalie, a neat well trimmed, thirty five year old blonde haired
with striking blue eyes, opened the door and invited Thomas in for
usual cup of coffee. Thomas followed her into the cool spacious
kitchen, placed the assorted items that he had purchased for her on
the kitchen cupboard. and settled down in the comfortable chair. He
accepted his coffee and slice of home made baked cheesecake.

They discussed the current political and socioeconomic problems
that had affected every ones lives so dramatically. Bernard, who
was attending a two-week conference, for the Security Company that
he owned, had requested that Thomas kept a "weather eye" open, for
him while he was away.

This was not a hardship for Thomas, who could have coffee and talk,
or pontificate, with the best of them. He came over almost every
other day, as well as most evenings together with Ann, who enjoyed
common decorating, art and interior design interests with
Natalie.

Thomas, realizing that time was passing by, told Natalie, he would
see her tomorrow night with Ann. He thanked her for the coffee and
cake, and politely made his departure.

Thomas drove back to the T-junction. Were he turned left and headed
down to Lower Ring Road. Turned right and entered the last driveway
in that road, up the slope of the drive and onto the level, neatly
trimmed terrace, parked his car in the left carport, accompanied by
the howls of greetings of all of the five dogs. Barbara, who needed
her milk, as it was past her tea time, came out to assist
him.

Barbara, a plump, well preserved seventy something year old it was
inappropriate to question her age, with close-cropped, Grey hair,
pale blue eyes and a fixed almost a tight lipped stern expression
on her face. "You have been for such a long time! I saw you drive
across the bridge, it must be over an hour ago!" she
exclaimed.

"I had to pop in and see Natalie, who sends her regards", Thomas
explained patiently, with his disarming smile. He now faced a
barrage of rapidly fired questions, in her crisp staccato fashion,
never waiting for an immediate answer.

"What else did you do today? Has Bernard not been away for to long"
was Barbara's first wave. Then promptly started to speak to her two
small dogs, telling them what clever dogs they were, as they had
told her that he was coming up the drive. She picked up her bag
contain her long life milk her Rye bread, as well some of her
parcels. and started to move towards the kitchen. "Where did you
get the bread? The milk, it was on special, you know? ", came the
next salvo of questions, as she ascended that single stair from
garage and entered the kitchen.

Thus Thomas was left, with the unasked for task of carrying in the
bulk of her purchase for her into the kitchen.

Thomas had by now, become accustomed to her burning desires to know
everything that happened in the neighborhood, as well as outside,
often about matters that did not concern her at all. He was
surprised, that for someone, who did not leave her own property,
very often, knew so many details of the movements and affairs of
the entire suburb.

He Picked up the rest of the parcels entered the kitchen of that
large ranch style house that he now called home. The dogs barking
had now subsided and the peace and haven of the secluded area
settled upon him. The familiar "goway" call of the Loeries and
cheeky chirrup of the cape sparrows, as well as the strange
collection of calls from Indian Mynas, a soothing balm, which all
cried out, loud and clear, you are home now.

Thomas placed the groceries on top of the various cupboards,
Barbara's items on top of her cupboard, together with all the till
slips. These groceries would later all be marked with Barbara's
initials, while she carefully packed them away. Then he packed away
his and Ann's, purchases into a separate groceries cupboard. The
arrangement of the household was that they prepared their own
meals; it was a long standing arrangement that still quietly amused
him. He cooked all the daily meals for Ann and himself, invariably
he cooked more than enough for six, as usually the next days packed
lunch was a cold version. The only time that Barbara ate with them,
was something special, like his famous crumbed pork chops,
schnitzels, or if guests were invited over for a meal.

He checked on the chicken casserole, perfect, left the lid off the
casserole dish to thicken the natural jus from the chicken. then
set the stove to 60 degrees Celsuis for the last hour and a
bit.

Thomas set the table for two in the dining room. Thomas who is an
avid cook, had earlier that morning, put the four breasts of
chicken skin down in a half a cup full of white wine, with a cup
full of wild mushrooms, which he had collected the day before in
the woods, some chopped spring onions, new potatoes and a clove of
garlic, a touch of salt and teaspoon of crushed green peppercorns,
into a cast iron casserole pot, placed the lid on the saucepan then
set the oven to 75 degrees Celsius, which he then left it to its
own devices, it would be slow cooked perfection.

"What are you eating tonight?" queried Barbara.

"We are having an early chicken casserole, and then going off to
Lucy's for drinks", replied Thomas, dodging around her as she then
packed and rearranged the cupboard.

He went out the back kitchen door into the back yard and greeted
his "girls", three-mixed breed dogs ranging from medium to large
sizes. He went passed the old disused coal bin, up the path to his
den at the back corner of the property, the "girls" close to his
side.

He entered his private domain, the den, a nine by three meter
pre-cast vine covered structure, which faced the back of some the
three thousand square meter property, mostly terraced lawn,
abutting the side of the koppie. Thomas settled down in front of
his computer and called up the spreadsheet for daily expenses. He
entered his daily expenses versus collections under the various
columns of the spread sheet. Discovered that he was ahead for now,
not by much, he realized that he would have to cut down slightly on
either his cigarettes or the amount of coffees that he purchased in
the mall.

‘Thank heavens I don't have to by film for the camera', he said to
‘Auntie', his black cat who had stalked over and had now just
settled comfortably on his right leg. He always discussed things
with his tatty old cat. He proceeded to download his day's
photographs, first given each frame a label then transferring them
to specific folders.

Thomas disconnected his pc He then fed the cats and dogs, refilled
their water dishes, tidied up the lawn, and then returned to the
house. He had a quick shower, and slipped into a fresh pair of
jeans and light cotton open necked shirt. Ann should be here any
minute, he mused, as it was her turn to drive the lift pool this
week.

He went to the entrance hall, by way of the kitchen to switch on
the kettle for tea. No sooner had he done this when Ann arrived,
Thomas went to the carport to carry in the parcels, if any. He
opened the car door for her and gave her a soft lingering kiss, as
they greeted each other. They entered the house holding each
other's hands, settled into the dining room chairs; he brought
through the tea tray.

Ann, a neat forty-five year, with a full, cuddly figure, dark brown
hair, brown eyes and rimless spectacles, greeted her mother. Who
was, as usual, watching the daily soap opera; the volume turned a
fairly high for Barbara to hear, as she was these days hard of
hearing. Ann asked if she would like a cup of tea.

"No, thank you", was the curt reply, more interested in what was
going on in the "soapie", at that point in time.

Ann and Thomas settled down to discuss their respective day, over a
cup of tea, a long-standing ritual, which afforded each an
opportunity to unload any problems or frustration that had occurred
in their days. This was a good base for the communication that
exists between them.

"How was your day"? Barbara interjected, during the advert time on
the TV. "Did you fax off those copies, for me. You now how
important they are" she stated, "What are you doing for supper"?
She asked, all as usual without waiting for a reply.

"They have been done, and are in my briefcase", stated Ann. "Would
you like some tea now Mom?" Asked Ann. "We are eating an early
supper of chicken casserole, then going out to Thomas's daughter",
stated Ann.

"No it is still to hot. The temperature has been over thirty
degrees today", was Barbara's reply, as she hastily made her way
through to the lounge to continue her late afternoons
viewing.

This interject had interrupted Thomas's thoughts and the incident
with the twins hacking into his computer, was now forgotten. He
cleared away the tea tray, brought the casserole through for Ann to
serve.

Memeories from childhood, frugality a its best. Makiing use of scraps to produce a three different tasty treats.
Lessons fro the 50's which my father had learned in in the 30's when frugality was the order of the...